Jason Momoa's 'Chief of War' Debuts on Apple TV+

Jason Momoa’s 'Chief of War' debuts on Apple TV+, dramatizing the late 18th-century struggle to unify the Hawaiian Islands through the perspective of Ka‘iana, a significant but lesser-known Native Hawaiian warrior. Co-created and written by Momoa and Thomas Pa'a Sibbett, the series took a decade to develop and was only approved after Momoa’s rise to global stardom. Presented primarily in ʻōlelo Hawai‘i, the show emphasizes Indigenous Hawaiian culture and examines themes of violence, colonialism, and shifting alliances, culminating in King Kamehameha I’s unification of the islands in 1810. While praised for its cultural authenticity and visual richness, critics note uneven writing for some supporting characters and acknowledge creative liberties with historical facts. The project is personally meaningful for Momoa and features a largely Polynesian cast. 'Chief of War' is recognized as a milestone for Indigenous Pacific representation and historical storytelling on a major streaming platform.